Apartment Fire Closes Roads in Denton

U.S. Highway 377/Fort Worth Drive was closed for about two hours south of Denton Wednesday morning while firefighters battled an apartment fire. (Published Wednesday, March 12, 2014)

Residents say neighbors spotted the flames early and knocked on doors to get everyone, including pets, out.

"I went around banging on doors," said Jose Zambrano. "We entered through the window and we were able to get a dog out but then it started to get too dangerous inside."

The fire destroyed one building that backs up to U.S. Highway 377 in a small community on Kilkenny Court. The fire tore through the roof, exposing the second story.

"By the time our crews got on scene, the entire roof was on fire," said Denton Fire Department Battalion Chief Chuck Goodman.

Firefighters were seen pulling off the siding, presumably trying to get to flames within the walls while others soaked the remaining shell of the structure.

U.S. Highway 377/Fort Worth Drive was closed for about two hours south of Denton while firefighters battled the blaze.

At about 9:30 a.m. on Twitter, the Denton Police Department said due to the structure fire, Fort Worth Drive/U.S. Highway 377 had been closed. During that time, traffic along southbound 377 was diverted to Country Club Road and Hobson Lane.

Goodman said the road was blocked to get equipment in to attack the flame from above. The crane truck took care of the fire fairly fast and the wind worked in firefighters' favor.

"Luckily because of the position of the building, the wind didn't cause a factor," said Goodman.

Shortly before 11 a.m., firefighters said they had the blaze under control. Around that time, Highway 377 was once again opened to traffic.

Firefighters said at least nine people lived in the 2-story apartment building. There were no reported injuries.

"Thank God that nobody got hurt," said Zambrano.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. Firefighters remained at the scene until 3:30 p.m. checking for hot spots and to make sure the fire was completely out.